I thought the following would be of interest to you and to your
subscribers.
A good friend of mine is an accomplished pathologist. I lent
him the video
"Roswall and the Alien Autopsy Story" for his expert opinion.
He took the
assigment very seriously and filed the following report. Very
interesting
reading...
__________________________________________
Review of the Alien Autopsy video tape by an autopsy pathologist, S.
Michael
Pelletier, President, Chief Operating Officer and Medical Director
of
Biopathology Medical Service, Inc. of Canoga Park, California.
These observations are made following multiple viewings of a video tape
titled, "ROSWELL & THE ALIEN AUTOPSY STORY" Produced
by Paul Chramosta & Tom
Tulien and distributed by Simitar Entertainment, Inc. of Plymouth,
Minnesota
55447. The catalog number on the tape is 4294 and the date of
manufacture is
listed as 1996. The tape length is listed as approximately 32
minutes.
Observations are as follows;
There is information presented before the autopsy footage is shown that
is
comprised of personal reminiscences and speculation about the possible
appearance and crash of an alien spacecraft in July of 1947 in New
Mexico.
The presentation is done in a convincing way and makes a strong case
for
United States Military involvement. This portion of the tape
is interesting
but, the most important portion of the film is the actual footage of
an
autopsy examination of a dead body supposedly removed from the wreckage
of the
alien spacecraft. I will concentrate on this portion of
the videotape.
If one is to assume that this tape is from an actual alien examination
than we
must make certain assumptions based on how a medical autopsy examination
would
have been performed in the late 1940’s. Someone with authority
would have
authorized the examination of the remains and, since the military was
involved
in the crash site investigation and the removal of the craft and the
remains,
(according to the videotape), then military personnel probably performed
this
medical examination. This would have been an important and unique
event as
this might have been the only dead body or perhaps just one of a limited
number of bodies. The Commanding Officer would have assigned
the best and
most proficient pathologist, and assistant, that were available to
him. If
this particular base lacked a properly experienced pathologist the
military
would have found someone and brought them in to do this examination.
This
would have been an experienced anatomic pathologist, perhaps with forensic
training. The pathologist would be extremely excited to be invited
to be the
examiner in a case of this magnitude and would have made every imaginable
preparation in advance so that not one area of interest would be forgotten
or
ignored. The study of medicine, and pathology in particular,
is a continual
process for all that are involved. This autopsy examination would
be looked
at by the examining pathologist as a once in a lifetime chance to "study"
this
strange being. This would definitely be handled as a special
case and given
all special consideration and talent by all involved.
For an event such as this the Commanding Officer, or the person in charge,
would place a call for a film crew to record this unprecedented autopsy.
The
military was known for having very professional film crews, many of
whom were
Hollywood trained. Many of us are familiar with the black and
white newsreels
of World War II and, these same professional cameramen could have been
used to
record this very special event. With the resources that the military
has at
its disposal, only the best would do and they would be sent from wherever
they
were to work this historic event. Instead, we see a hand held
camera operator
that is not able to focus on the skin or tissue surfaces. Due
to the
seemingly "convenient" properties of this grainy, high contrast and
out of
focus film, (and subsequent video), details of the tissues and organs
can only
be guessed at. Note though, the clock is seen in many angles,
(and in focus),
as if to give the film validity. Seen hanging from the ceiling
near the
observation window is a microphone. Why then, is there no audio
on the film?
Is the microphone only for communicating with the person outside the
glass?
Can these people really hear and understand one another with the head
gear in
place? It is virtually impossible to understand someone wearing
a standard
surgical mask outside of a 1 to 2 foot range. The quality of
the sound coming
from a microphone, of that vintage, would be unintelligible.
Pathologists and surgeons understand that there will be only one chance
to
examine the tissue before it is removed from the body.
Studying the tissue
and organs in situ ,(while in place within the body), is eminently
important
because this is the only way to understand these structures and their
relationship to all of the other surrounding structures. Remember,
all living
tissue must be supplied constantly with adequate and newly oxygenated
blood to
sustain life. This means that all tissue and organs, including
skin, must
have arteries bringing blood in and veins to return "used" blood to
the heart
and lungs to be re-oxygenated. If this process is interrupted,
immediately
the effected tissue begins to die. Once necrosis is defined,
nothing, not
even renewed blood flow, can bring it back to life. During the
skin incision
of the torso and head blood is seen oozing from this newly created
incision.
This would indicate that this creature had blood circulating throughout
its
body to sustain life, as we do.
Military installations have surgical suites for performing emergency
procedures on military base personnel and their families for which
they are
responsible. Such a suite would be suitable for this examination
because it
would have the equipment necessary. There would be a central
table of
adjustable size to accommodate various size individuals in a number
of
configurations and elevations. The examiner in this video is
bending at the
waist in a way that suggest that this table is not adjustable.
(One needs to
realize that all surgeries are not performed with the patient lying
flat upon
their back. Many times the patient will be on their side or with
the feet or
head elevated. Gynecological surgeries need specific equipment
and any
surgical suite would have this at the ready) The military is know to
have
mobile surgical suits and these are in various sizes but, they are
outfitted
with the same lights and table as a stationary facility would have.
One of the first things that is noticeable is that the room that this
examination is taking place in is small and does not appear to be designed
for
either surgery or autopsy procedures. The walls are painted white
and not
tiled for easy cleaning as is necessary following each procedure.
The only
light in the room is from fixtures high in the ceiling and these are
not low
and not near enough to the structures that are to be examined.
A movable
light would be available at least to examine inside the cavities.
The table
upon which this is taking place is too flat and does not appear to
be either
for surgery or autopsy use. (For autopsy use there should be
a central drain
and slopping and raised sides to guide fluid into that drain.
The
configuration seen here would allow any fluid, and or blood, to drip
onto the
floor and onto the examiners shoes.) There is no sink with running
water to
rinse off organs or specimens for better viewing. There is not
a scale for
weighing the organs and tissues as would be the normal procedure in
any
autopsy examination. There is not an available suction hose to remove
pooled
blood or fluid from inside cavities for better viewing. There
are no stacks
of sponges, or quaze pads, waiting nearby to aid in removing fluid
and blood
from these cavities and from the surfaces that are to be examined within
the
body. These preparations would most certainly have been made
before the
procedure began. On a table near the body is a stainless tray
with a sparse
selection of instruments. The selection of instruments for a
normal human
autopsy would be twice what is seen on this tray. Retractors,
in various
sizes and configurations, would be ready to use and these are missing
completely. Various sizes and configurations of hemostats, clamping
forceps,
would also be available, and these are missing. Remember, when
your hands are
contaminated with blood you do not start looking through cabinets to
find
things. All necessary instruments and supplies are laid out in
a careful and
calculated way before the procedure is started. The preparations
do not
appear adequate for this procedure.
This is an autopsy procedure being performed on a "unknown" entity from
an
unknown place. "Unknown" because of unknown bacteria, virus’
and other
entities no encountered before. Because of this, certain special
precautions
would be taken by all people within the examination room.
Imagine the fear
of encountering something that no one else has ever seen. Imagine
the fear of
contracting some "unknown" disease. This is why strict
quarantine would be
in effect and special protective suits would be necessary. The
two main
people are seen to be wearing a white long-sleeved gown and head cover
with an
integral face covering. The head coverings have very small horizontal
eye
slits that would hamper any examination. The junction of the
head cover and
the gown is loose and does not appear to offer the wearer any protection
from
any serious airborne or droplet contamination. Why is the person
outside the
glass wearing a surgical style mask? Are these face coverings
only to provide
protection from identification? The two persons performing this examination
are not wearing a plastic apron , as we all do, to protect from water
and
blood contamination. There does not appear to be an air
source leading to
the head and face coverings, and since these two people move about
the room
without ever looking down or behind themselves, it is unlikely that
there is
an air line that is not visible in the video frame. Without an
air supply,
the clear plastic of the face cover would fog over and become unusable
rendering the wearer "blind". Without a separate special
air supply these
two persons are breathing the contaminated air surrounding the "unknown"
remains. Why wear the confining and restrictive head and
face cover if it
offers limited to no protection from contamination ? When dealing
with any
remains that are questionable most pathologist will double glove,(wear
two
pair of gloves at once). This offers added protection from cold
and sharp
bony structures inside the body and hard and sharp structures within
various
organs. Remember, this is an "unknown". No one knows what to
expect once they
open the body cavity. The two examiners in this video are wearing
only a
single layer of gloves each. These are not even special
thick gloves but,
appear to be normal, (for the era), thin surgical latex gloves.
This autopsy is reportedly being performed on a deceased alien creature.
The
external genitalia appear to be configured as a human female.
No breast, or
nipples, are seen on the anterior upper chest. The date of death
is reported
as July 4, 1947. We do not know how long this body has been dead
before this
procedure is commenced since no date is recorded on the tape or film.
The
skin is smooth and hairless and shows no signs of condensation.
Surgical
incisions are not noted on the external examination. How was
this body kept
between the time of death and this examination? If it was refrigerated,
it
would show signs of condensation and some degenerative changes.
The skin
appears to be monochromatic. Within hours of death, (remember
this happened
in New Mexico during the hot month of July), there would be discoloration
of
the skin seen at least on the posterior and sides from settling, pooling,
blood. Possibly, there would be superficial blood vessels visible
through the
skin due to blood staining. The abdomen appears to be distended.
If this
were due to degenerative changes, (gas formation happens quickly in
warm
weather), there would be a discoloration of the anterior abdominal
skin. Is
this creature pregnant?
There is obvious trauma to the left anterior upper leg and thigh
with missing
soft tissue. The surrounding skin is darkly discolored and the
edges are
irregular. There is a gaping defect just superior to the knee
and the inner
tissues are dark and possibly hemorrhagic. The damage appears
to be only of
soft tissue as the structure of the leg is intact. When the examiner
lifts
the knee, the upper leg moves as an intact unit, and the knee appears
to move
in an uninjured way identical to a human knee. The examiner spends
a
considerable amount of time examining the knee but, only a short time
examining the exposed tissues of the upper leg. The examiner
is seen taking a
small sample of tissue from the wound area. Why take only one
and why such a
small sample? There certainly is no need to be "cosmetically
aware" of an
alien corpse. Deep dissection would able examination of nerves,
muscles,
arteries and veins. In a human, this area of the upper leg is
where major
blood vessels pass through. Trauma to this area would lead to
quick
exsanguination, (lose of blood), resulting in death due to hypoxia
of the
brain and cessation of the beating heart. With a blood lose of
this amount,
no blood would be seen following the skin incision due to lack of pressure
and
volumn. On the film, blood oozes from the skin incisions made
for the
autopsy.
The exterior of the body is shown in the film in a quick and repetitive
way,
not like a medical physical examination. With something this
monumental the
film would clearly focus on important areas of the external examination
such
as close-ups of the gaping leg wound, the external genitalia, the mouth,
nose,
eyes and face and the posterior of the body. The examiner does
appear to
superficially examine the genitalia without actually moving the legs.
Any
physical examination of a female patient would include a full gynecological
examination, especially a female of an unknown race and species.
The absence
of this examination would lead this observer to believe that the examiner
in
the film knew the origin of the body was human and hence, had no interest
in
examining the external genitalia. (During the examination of
an unknown
species the ability to understand its reproductive system and methods
of
reproducing would be most important to a complete understanding of
the being.)
The examiner appears to only visually examine the hands and feet.
If this
were truly an autopsy of an alien there would be no assumptions made
beforehand. Because the body appears to have two "hands" and
two "feet" is no
reason to assume that they operate as do human hands and feet.
Do the joints
bend the same direction as human joints? How is the range of
motion? Are
there calluses on the hands from using controls or, on the feet from
walking
upright? Are we to assume that because the body is formed like
a human that
it acts or moves as do humans? Are the "fingers" and "toes" of
the same
number as human’s? Are they of progressive length as ours
are?
The examiner appears careful to only brush the skin surface lightly
and to not
even wrinkle the "skin". During a normal physical examination
the abdomen
would be palpated with enough force to feel internal organ structures.
The
pathologist would want to know why the abdomen is so protuberant, just
to
prepare for anything when the body is finally opened. This is
another reason
that a suction hose would be a necessity. If the bulging abdomen
is due to
fluid, (remember, this is an "unknown", and not a human), once the
midline
incision is made the fluid will flow from the body cavity onto the
"flat"
table and onto the floor contaminating everything that it touches,
including
the air. Palpating this area prior to opening would be an activity
not be
missed by any competent examiner.
The head appears to be larger for the size of the body than a human
head is in
comparison. It is surprising how little time is spent examining
the cranium
and facial features. Is the head soft, or hard like a human head?
Does the
mouth lead to a pharynx like a human’s does? Are the nostrils
patent and
contiguous with the respiratory system? Are the ears present?
Why is this
area not examined in detail? Is it because the examiner knows
that this body
is humanoid? As a pathologist, I would call in an otolaryngologist
to assist
in the examination of the ears, nose and throat, and an ophthalmologist
to
assist with the examination of the eyes. (When the "eyes" are
removed from
the head, they are placed into a clear glass bowel with a transparent
liquid.
How did the examiner know that these were going to come off so easily
an that
they would be thin? The examiner does not even need to retract
the lids. How
does he know that it will happen his way? How did they know to
have the glass
bowel of liquid ready at this moment?) Remember that this is
an examination
of an "unknown" dead body with absolutely no need to be concerned with
any
cosmetic results. The examiner has carte blanche for any dissection.
In the
film, the head skin is reflected and the cranial vault is entered even
though
the only cut made with the hand saw is at the front of the skull.
The
examiner is seen removing a delicate membrane from the surface of the
brain,
similar to a human dura mater. The process to reflect the
skin and cut into
the bone takes longer than removing or examining the brain tissue.
The brain
is removed in pieces, (and looks hemorrhagic), and placed into on of
the
stainless steel containers. The human brain is a delicate structure
and each
pathologist learns quickly that this must be handled very carefully
or it will
fall apart. The examiner in the film roughly removes the
brain in irregular
segments and handles it as if it was something encountered each day
and not
the most special case he will ever work on. The brain appears
small for the
grand size of the cranium form the outside. Why is the skull
so large and the
brain so small? Complete dissection of the head and neck is possible.
In
anatomical dissection classes, the skin is removed to reveal the underlying
tissues for study. These are then removed in sequence to reveal
deeper
structures. Imagine the knowledge that would be gained
from such a
dissection effort. No examiner would by pass this chance to be
"the one" to
document these exciting and unique findings.
The examiner at times seems to act as if he must hurry along and not
spend
time examining structures. Why is this? In such a unique
situation there
would be no time constraints for the examination. A normal hospital
autopsy
procedure can take 2-3 hours for the dissection of the body and organ
systems.
Forensic autopsies, which can include homicides and other criminal
deaths, can
take 5-9 hours. Why is this autopsy of an "alien" from another
world over
with in about 20 to 30 minutes?
Human tissues are of various textures and consistency. Some tissue surfaces
are smooth and glistening while others are roughened and irregular.
Certain
diseases can cause changes in these surface textures. Tissues
and organs
also have different tensile strengths. Some tissue such as skin
and ligaments
are tough and difficult to tear or cut. Many tissues and
organs within the
human body are delicate and sensitive to the touch. These will
tear or rip if
too much pressure is applied. Surgeons are masters at touching
just enough to
move tissue. Too much pressure on an area will cause constricture
of blood
vessels and possible necrosis if held too long. Extreme care
must be taken to
place retractors where they do not interfere or tear sensitive tissue
surfaces. Pathologists have the advantage of not having to worry
about
hemorrhage or necrosis being caused by our procedures. Even so
there is a
very real need to develop a sensitive touch to prevent ripping or tearing
delicate structures. A good pathologists is a master at moving
delicate
structures and not injuring them in the process. The examiner
in the film is
not careful. When he reaches into the body cavity he does not
study what is
connected to what, he just cuts it out and plops it into a stainless
steel
bowl. He seems no the least concerned with what the tissue looked
like before
it was cut or, what the tissue actually is. At one point in the
film he seems
to carefully examine a cylindrical structure for a moment then, hacks
it in
two to reveal a hollow center. Hunks of bloody tissue are removed
from the
body cavities, not carefully dissected structures that are preserved
for
future dissection and sectioning.
As Tissues are removed from the body they are placed, without lingering
examination, into separate stainless steel containers. Blood
is not rinsed
from them, and very little time is spent examining these possibly unique
structures. During an "actual" autopsy blood is removed immediately
because
"staining" of the tissue surfaces will happen rapidly and this might
prevent
accurate diagnosis of a disease process. The purpose of an autopsy
is to
examine the external surfaces of the body, the body cavities and all
of the
organs within the body to decide on the disease process, or processes,
that
caused the body to stop at the instant of death.
The assistant inside the room actually acts bored with the proceedings
and the
man outside the glass window acts very nonchalant about the whole thing.
The
assistant hads the examiner a pair of huge scissors in an awkward way.
Is
this a highly skilled person? Is this "just another autopsy",
or is this
possibly the first and only autopsy examination of a being from another
planet? I believe that given these circumstances, each and every
drop of
blood, and fluid, would be collected and analyzed and each organ system
would
be examined and photographed in the body after being thoroughly rinsed
and
cleaned to record and document all possible findings. Tissue
would be
collected under sterile conditions and retained for possible future
use.
Tissue would be collected and submitted for viral and bacterial studies.
Tissue would be collected and placed into multiple types of fixatives
to
prevent further deterioration of these fascinating structures.
The examiner
on film acts as if the only duty he must perform is to eviscerate ,
or remove,
organs from the body. He is seen to treat the body and the tissues
as if they
were never going to be further examined or used for any purpose.
Is this the autopsy of an alien? There are instances within the
film where it
does appear to be real tissue being retracted or cut. Is
it the tissue of an
alien?
My opinion about this film is this:
This is not an alien autopsy because of the way the examiner acts, moves
and
handles tissue and organs. I have been performing autopsy procedures
for over
15 years and I have learned that each case must be handled individually.
The
study of pathology demands attention to detail and care must be exercised
to
always seeing that detail as it is available. Once tissue is
removed from the
body, all relationships to surrounding structures are lost. The
examiner in
the film makes no effort to examine any tissues sufficiently before
they are
removed from the body. The examiner in the film is obviously
not working on a
body of unknown origin because he does not treat it special.
It’s just so
matter of fact. This is how the two other people in the film
act as well.
How would you act if you were at a historic and monumental autopsy
of a being
from another planet? Bored? I doubt it.
So, what is the body? It certainly looks not earth-like. I believe
that this
is a movie prop designed and engineered by special effects people.
I have
seen numerous movies where props have been used and many appear very
life
like. Living in Southern California has perhaps made me more
aware of what is
possible from the Hollywood studios. The advent of computer generated
graphics has played an important role in how realistic these special
effects
look on screen. The graininess of the film and the numerous interruptions
are
meant to suggest that this film was taken in the 1940’s.
I believe the film
was taken more recently. The date on the package is listed as 1996,
and this
would make much more sense.
The photography of this film is so horrendously poor that it must have
been
planned to have it look this way. Any person holding a
camera during an
autopsy of a unique being from another planet would make an attempt
to hold
the camera on the operative field and to keep the picture in focus.
Common
sense would dictate that this is a hoax , a very elaborate and fairly
well
done hoax, that will probably fool those not involved with medicine
or
pathology. I believe that the graininess of the film is
intentional and
intended to mask the truth. The numerous interruptions in the
tape further
the argument that this film is not what it is reported to be.
Whoever engineered this special effects film knew little about medicine
and
less about pathology.
March 1999
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